Brief Overview of συγκάμπτω (Strong’s G4781: sugkampto)

Strong’s G4781: A compound verb meaning “to bend together, to bow down completely.” From σύν (with/completely) and κάμπτω (to bend). Used metaphorically in Romans to describe spiritual blindness and burden. Represents complete submission or oppression, often with moral or spiritual implications.

U- Unveiling the Word

Συγκάμπτω primarily denotes a complete bending or bowing down, with the σύν prefix intensifying the basic meaning of κάμπτω. In its New Testament context, Paul uses it in Romans to quote Psalm 69, describing spiritual blindness and oppression as a divine judgment. The early church saw in this word a powerful image of both the weight of sin and the possibility of redemptive bowing before the Lord. Today, it reminds us of both the devastating effects of spiritual hardening and the necessity of humble submission to God.

N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: συγκάμπτω, sugkampto, /soong-kamp’-to/
• Detailed pronunciation: SOONG (as in “soon”) – KAMP (as in “camp”) – toe
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• σύν (sun) prefix meaning “with, completely”
• κάμπτω (kampto) meaning “to bend, bow”
• Combined meaning: “to bend completely, bow down thoroughly”

D – Defining Meanings

• To bend together completely
• To bow down thoroughly
• To be weighed down entirely

For compound words:

• σύν intensifies the action
• κάμπτω provides the basic bending motion
• Combined emphasizes thoroughness of bending

Translation Options:

• “To bow down completely” – Emphasizes thoroughness
• “To bend together” – Stresses unified motion
• “To be utterly bowed” – Highlights resultant state

E – Exploring Similar Words

• κάμπτω (kampto) /kamp’-to/ – to bend See G2578
• κλίνω (klino) /klee’-no/ – to incline See G2827
• κύπτω (kupto) /koop’-to/ – to stoop See G2955

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb:

• Tense: Aorist, Perfect
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Imperative
• Person: Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Punctiliar (Aorist), Stative (Perfect)

Examples:

• Aorist Active: συνέκαμψα (I bent completely)
• Perfect Active: συγκέκαμφα (I have bent completely)
• Imperative: σύγκαμψον (bend completely!)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes its metaphorical use in spiritual contexts. Thayer’s notes its intensified meaning through the σύν prefix. LSJ traces its usage in classical Greek for physical bending. Vine’s highlights its single New Testament usage. Strong’s connects it to complete bowing down. LEH notes its use in the Septuagint for submission. Moulton and Milligan show its usage in descriptions of physical posture.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:
Romans 11:10: “Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down [συγκάμπτω] their back alway.”

Additional References:
This is the only occurrence in the New Testament.

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

Συγκάμπτω powerfully illustrates both spiritual blindness and divine discipline. While used in judgment context, it reminds us that the good news of King Jesus offers liberation from spiritual bondage and oppression, transforming forced bowing into willing worship.

D – Did You Know?

• The word appears only once in the New Testament
• It was commonly used in medical texts to describe spinal conditions
• Early church writers used it to contrast forced submission with willing worship

Strong’s G4781: A compound verb meaning “to bend together, to bow down completely.” From σύν (with/completely) and κάμπτω (to bend). Used metaphorically in Romans to describe spiritual blindness and burden. Represents complete submission or oppression, often with moral or spiritual implications.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: bowing, submission, judgment, spiritual-blindness, oppression, divine-discipline, paul, romans, biblical-greek, new-testament-greek, worship, spiritual-bondage​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​